Cycle timer means for ovens

ABSTRACT

A cycle timer having a frame rotatably carrying a selector that is manually settable to a plurality of positions. Electrical switches are carried by the frame and the selector operates the switches to certain conditions thereof when the selector is respectively set in the various positions thereof. A timer motor is carried by the frame and has drive means so constructed and arranged that when the selector is set in only one position thereof, the selector is operatively interconnected to the drive means of the timer to be driven thereby from the one position thereof to another position thereof for a predetermined time period.

United States Patent 1.

Marquis CYCLE TIMER MEANS FOR OVENS [75] lnventor: Edgar E. Marquis, Newtown, Conn.

[73] Assignee: Robertshaw Controls Company,

Richmond, Va.

22 Filed: May 4, 1972 21 Appl. No.: 250,231

[52] US. Cl. 200/38 FA [51] Int. Cl. H0111 43/10 [58] Field of Search.... 200/35 R, 37 A, 38 R, 38 F,

200/38 FA, 38 F8, 38 B, 38 BA, 38 C, 38 CA [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,400,233 9/1968 Ring 200/38 FB 3,068,331 12/1962 Morrison et al. 200/38 FB 3,207,865 9/1965 Morrison et al. 200/38 FB 3,152,229 10/1964 Sears 200/38 FB 3,239,614 3/1966 Simmons 200/38 B 2,392,166 1/1946 Lockwood 200/38 FA X 1 Apr. 2, 1974 2,976,471 3/1961 Harris 200/38 C X 3,686,450 8/1972 Willis 200/38 R 3,327,073 6/1967 Bement et al..... 200/38 C 3,280,276 10/1966 Dotto 200/38 C Primary Examiner-James R. Scott Attorney, Agent, or FirmCandor, Candor & Tassone [57] ABSTRACT A cycle timer having a frame rotatably carrying a selector that is manually settable to a plurality of positions. Electrical switches are carried by the frame and the selector operates the switches to certain conditions thereof when the selector is respectively set in the various positions thereof. A timer motor is carried by the frame and has drive means so constructed and arranged that when the selector is set in only one position thereof, the selector is operatively interconnected to the drive means of the timer to be driven thereby from the one position thereof to another position thereof for a predetermined time period.

5 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures PATENTEUAFR 2 mm 3,801; 754

1 CYCLE TIMER MEANS FOR OVENS This invention relates to an improved cycle timer means as well as to improved parts for such timer means or the like.

It is well known that cycle timers have been provided wherein a selector is adapted to be set in a position thereof to be driven by a timer motor through a predetermined time period for a cycle of operation. For example, such prior known cycle timers can be utilized for controlling a blender during such cycle timed period.

However, it has been found according to the teachings of this invention that a cycle timer can have the sea cycle lector thereof usable for controlling a plurality of electrical switches to various conditions thereof when the selector is set in other positions thereof and that such selector need only to be operatively interconnected to the timer motor means when the selector is set in one position thereof for causing a cycle time operation.

For example, one embodiment of this invention provides a frame means movably carrying a selector means that is manually settable to a plurality of positions relative to the frame means. Electrical switch means are carried by the frame means. The selector means operates the switch means to certain conditions thereof when the selector means is respectively set in said positions thereof. A timer motor is carried by the frame means and has drive means. The selector means when set in only one position thereof has means operatively interconnected to the drive means of the timer means to bedriven thereby from the one position thereof to another position thereof for a predetermined time period. If desired, the means of the selector means that is adapted to be operatively interconnected to the drive means of the timer means when set in the one position thereof can be so constructed and arranged that the same is adapted to abort the cycle time period by being moved from the one position thereof if the selector means is moved from the one position thereof before the lapse of the initial time period of the running of the timer means when the selector means is first set in the one position thereof.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an improved cycle timer means having one or more of the novel features set forth above or hereinafter shown or described. I

Other objects, uses and advantages of this invention are apparent from a reading of this description which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof and wherein;

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary, front view illustrating the cycle timer means of this invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view similar to FIG. 1 with the control panel and control knob of the cycle timer means removed.

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 with the front panel of the cycle timer means of FIG. 2 removed.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view similar to FIG. 3 and il lustrates one of the gear means thereof removed.

FIG. 5 is a rear view of the cycle timer means of FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary, cross-sectional view taken on line 6-6 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary, cross-sectional view taken on line 77 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary view similar to FIG. 3 but illustrating the cam means of the selector for operating the switch plungers.

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary, line 99 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIG. 3 but illustrating the cycle timer means when initially set in the cycle time period thereof.

While the various features of this invention are hereinafter described and illustrated as being particularly adapted to control a cooking apparatus, it is to be understood that various features of this invention can be utilized singly or in any combination thereof to provide cycle timer means for other apparatus as desired.

Therefore, this invention is not to be limited to only the embodiment illustrated in the drawings, because the drawings are merely utilized to illustrate one of the variety of uses of this invention.

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the cycle timer means of this invention is generally indicated by the reference numeral 20 and comprises a frame means 21 rotatably carrying a selector means 22 having a portion 23 thereof disposed behind a front plate 24 of the frame means 21 and having a shaft 25 thereof projecting through a bearing means 26 carried by the frame means 21. The selector means 22 has a control knob 27 on the outer end of the shaft 25 to be positioned in front of a control panel 28 that is adapted to be disposed between the front wall 24 of the frame means 21 and the control knob 27. If desired, the control panel 28 can be the control panel of the apparatus being controlled by the cycle timer means 20 of this invention.

cross-sectional view taken on For example, the cycle timer means 20 of this invention can be adapted to control a cooking apparatus wherein the selector means 27 is adapted to be set in the various positions indicated on the control panel 28 of FIG. 1 for effecting a baking operation of the cooking apparatus, a broiling operation of the cooking apparatus, a timed baking operation of the cooking appara tus and when the selector means 22 is set in the clean position, the cycle timer means 20 is adapted to operate a cleaning operation of the cooking apparatusvfor a predetermined time period wherein the selector means 27 is rotated from the clean position to the off position thereof for the predetermined cleaning operation of the cooking apparatus.

Since the particular operation of the cooking apparatus does not form a part of this invention because it is well known that various electrical switch means can be controlled by a selector means to operate the cooking apparatus in the desired selected condition thereof, such as for baking, broiling and high temperature burnoff operation thereof, it is believed only necessary to fully point out how the selector means 27 of this invention when set in the various selected positions thereof can control a plurality of switch means in the manner hereinafter set forth.

The portion 23 of the selector means 22 has a sector gear means 29 formed around a circular portion thereof while the remaining part 30 of that circular portion is not provided with any gear teeth thereon so that when the selector means 27 is set in any position thereof where the ungeared portion 30 thereof is disposed adjacent a pinion gear 31 rotatably carried by the frame means 21 in a manner hereinafter set forth, the pinion gear 31 is out of meshing relation with the selector means 22 so that the gear 31 will not drive the sector gear 29 even though the gear 31 is continuously rotating.

The portion 23 of the selector means 22 has a plurality of flat portions 32, 33, 34, 35 and 36 disposed in a circular array with the opposed flat portions 32 and 36 being spaced from each other by an arcuate portion 37. A spring member 38 is carried by the frame means 21 and is so positioned relative to the selector means 22 that the same provides a detent action with the flat portions 32-36 thereof so that when the selector knob 27 of the selector means 22 is rotated relative to the frame means 21 and a flat portion 32-36 is subsequently positioned in parallel alignment with the spring member 38, the spring member 38 tends to maintain the selector means 27 in such rotational position relative to the frame means 21. Of course the selector portion 23 of the selector means 22 can be rotated relative to the frame means 21 by the camming out action on the spring member 38 to permit the portion 23 to be moved to another rotational position wherein another flat portion 32-36 is positioned parallel and engagement with the spring member 38. However, when the arcuate portion 37 of the selector means 23 is adjacent the spring member 38, the arcuate portion 37 rides against the spring member 38 in substantially a non-friction manner to permit rotation of the selector means 22 for a purpose hereinafter described.

Nevertheless, it can be seen that when the selector knob 27 is set in its clean position, the flat portion 32 is parallel with and engaging the spring 38; when the selector means 22 is set in its bake position, the fiat portion 33 is adjacent the spring 38 in the manner illustrated in FIG. 3; when the selector means 22 is set in its broil position, the flat portion 34 is disposed adjacent the spring 38; when the selector means 22 is set in its time baking position, the flat portion 35 is adjacent and engaging the spring 38 and when the selector means 32 is set in its off" position, the flat portion 36 is adjacent the spring 38.

Thus, it can be seen that the flat portions 32-36 of the selector means 22 and the detent spring 38 permit the user to properly position the selector means 22 in the various operating .positions of the cycle timer means 20.

As illustrated in FIGS. -8, the frame means 21 of the cycle timer means 20 carries a plurality of electrical switches 39, 40, 41 and 42 with each switch 39-42 having'a cantilevered mounted switch blade 43 secured to the frame means 21 at the upper end 44 thereof and carrying movable contact means 45 at the lower movable end 46 thereof for cooperating with fixed contact means 47 carried by the frame means 21. For example, the fixed contact means 47 of the outer two electrical switches 39 and 42 each comprises a pair of spaced fixed contact means 47A and 47B between which the movable contact 45 of the switch blade 43 is adapted to be moved by an axially movable plunger member 48 carried'by the frame means 21 and engaging against the blade 43 to move the same from its normally biased position illustrated in full lines in FlG. 6 against the fixed contact 47B to either a position intermediate the two fixed contacts 47B and 47A or against the fixed contact 47A depending upon the degree of movement of the respective plunger 48 relative to the housing 21. The fixed contact means 47 of the inner two switches 40 and 41 each comprises a single contact 47 spaced from the normally biased movable contact 45 of the respective switch blade 43 so that the plunger 48 must be moved to move the movable contact .45 with contact with the respective fixed contact 47. i

The portion 23 of the selector means 22 has a plurality of rotationally disposed cam areas 49 on the rear surface thereof for respectively operating on the plungers 48 for the particular electrical switches 39-42 to position the switch'blades 43 thereof relative to the fixed contact means 47 so that in each of the various set positions of the selector means 22, the electrical switches 39-42 are operated to particular positions or conditions thereof for contolling-the operation of the cooking apparatus in accordance with that particular set position of the selector means 22.

The particular details of the structure of the cam means 49 and its operation on the plunger means 48 to operate the electrical switches 39-42 can be obtained from the US. Pat. No. 3,200,224, to Lux, so that further description of the electrical switches 39 42 in the various rotational positions of the selector means 22 is not necessary as such U.S. Patent can be utilized for a further disclosure thereof and is therefore incorporated by reference in this disclosure of the invention.

Nevertheless, it is sufficient to state that during the operation of the selector means 22 when set in any one of the various positions thereof, the cam areas 49 operate the plungers 48 to set the electrical switches 39-42 to various operating conditions thereof and when the selector means 22 is set in the cycle time position thereof for the cleaning operation of the cooking apparatus, rotation of the selector means 22 from the clean position thereof to the off position thereof will cause the cam areas 49 to operate on the switch means 39-42 throughout such automatic rotational movement of the selector means 22 to either cause the switch means 39-42 to remain in one position thereof during the entire rotational movement of the selector means 22 or operate in various different positions thereof during the rotation of the selector means 22 to cause the proper high temperature bumoff cleaing operation in the oven of the cooking apparatus associated therewith.

As previously stated, the gear 31 is rotatably carried by the frame means 21 of the cycle timer means 20 and as illustrated in FIG. 4, the gear 31 is loosely rotatably mounted on a shaft 50 carried by the frame means 21. In particular, the shaft 50 passes through an enlarged opening 51 in the gear 31. However, a spring member 52 carried by the frame means 21 engages against a hub portion 53 of the gear 31 to tend to maintain the gear 31 in one position relative to the shaft 50 although providing means for permitting the gear 31 to be moved in a limited manner relative to the shaft 50 and thereby permit the selector gear portion 29 of the selector means 22 to be moved into meshing relation with the pinion gear 31 or be moved out of meshing relation therewith for a purpose hereinafter described.

The gear 31 has a plurality of drive pins 54 projecting from one side thereof, the drive pin 54 being disposed in circular array and being located equidistant from each other. In the embodiment illustrated in the drawings, four such drive pins 54 are provided on the gear 31.

Another pinion gear 55 is'rotatably mounted to the shaft 50 of the frame means 21 and has a plurality of elongated slots 56 formed therein in equidistant circular array and respectively receiving the drive pins 54 therein. The pinion gear 55 is disposed in meshing relation with a smaller pinion gear 57 fixed on the output shaft 58 of an electrically operated timer motor 59 carried by frame means2l so that the timer motor 59, when electrically operated, can continuously rotate the gear 55 in a counterclockwise direction in FIG. 3 through the meshing relation of its output gear 57 with the pinion gear 55. Such rotational movement of the gear 55 causes the ends 60 of the slots 56 to engage against the drive pins 54 of the gear 31 and cause likewise rotational movement of the gear 31 relative to the shaft 50.

Since the timer motor 59 is adapted to be continuously operated during the use of the selector means 20 on the cooking apparatus, such continuous rotational movement of the gears 55 and 31 by the timer motor 59 do not affect the position of the selector means 22 as long as the ungeared portion 30 thereof is disposed adjacent the gear 31 in the manner-illustrated in FIG. 3 .by the selector means 22 being disposed in any one of the off, bake, broil, and time bake positions thereof. Thus, the selector means 22 can be moved between such mentioned positions in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction. Of course, the time motor 59 can be so arranged that the same is not turned on until the selector means 22 is set in its clean" position by having one of the switches 39-42 control such timer motor 59.

However, when the selector means 22 is moved to its clean position, a first group of teeth of the sector gear portion 29 thereof is moved in contact with the gear 31 and causes the gear 31 to be advanced slightly from the drive gear 55: to permit such meshing relation between the gear 31' and the sector gear 29. Thus, the drive pins 54 of the gear 31 have now been advanced in the slots 56 of the drive gear 55 to adjacent the leading edges 61 of the slots 56 as illustrated in FIG. so that the gear 55 must be driven in a lost motion takeup manner by the timer motor 59 before the rear edges 60 of the slots 56 again pick up the drive pins 54 to cause movement of the gear 31 therewith. At this time, movement of the gear 31 in unison with the gear 55 causes the sector gear 29 of the selector means 22 to now rotate in unison therewith and be driven from its clean position toward the off position thereof for the predetermined length of time that it takes the sector gear 29 to rotate the selector means 22 to its off position. Of course, this cycle time operation of the selector means 22 causes the switch means 39-42 through the cam means 49 of the selector means 22 to operate the cooking apparatus in the proper manner for a cleaning operation thereof during such predetermined move ment of the selector means 22. When the selector means 22 reaches its off" position, it can be seen that the nonsector gear portion 30 of the selector means 22 is now adjacent the gear 31 so that further rotational movement of the selector means 22 is now terminated even though the gear 31 is being continuously driven by the timer motor 59 through the drive gear 55.

As previously stated, when the sector gear 29 is initially positioned into meshing relation with the gear 31 to initiate the cleaning operation of the cycle timer means 20, such advancement of the drive pins 54 relative to the slots 56 of the drive gear 55 as illustrated in FIG. 10 permits the housewifeor the like to abort the cleaning operation by rotating the selector means 22 from the. clean position setting thereof back to another operatingposition or an off position thereof as the gear 31 can be moved relative to its shaft 50 to permit such unmeshing of the sector gear 29 therefrom and such aborting operation can normally take place for about 10 minutes before the edges 60 of the slots 56 catch up with the drive pins 54 and start rotation of the gear 31. Thus, if no clutch is provided for the timer motor 59, once the drive gear 55 is positively driving the drive pins 54 of the gear 31, the selector means 22 cannot be aborted from the clean setting operation thereof because the sector gear 29 now is positively engaged by the gear 31 being positively driven by the drive gear 55 so that the clean" cycle must be continued and the housewife or the like cannot thereby accidentally abort the cleaning operation at this time as a safety precaution since the temperature in the oven has now risen during such initial lost motion takeup period to a high unsafe temperature condition. Thus, the cycle time period must then be completed in order to put the oven through the normal cool down cycle as provided toward the termination of the movement of the selector means 22 toward its off position from its clean position.

Thus, it can be seen that this invention provides an improved cycle timer means as well as improved parts for such cycle timer means or the like.

While the form of the invention now preferred has been described and illustrated as required by the patent statutes, it is to be understood that other forms can be utilized and all come within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination, a frame means, a single selector means movably carried by said frame means and being manually settable to at least three different positions relative to said frame means, electrical switch means carried by said frame means, said selector means operating said switch means to certain conditions thereof when said selector means is respectively set in said different positions, and a timer motor carried by said frame means and having drive means, said selector means when set in only one of said different positions having means operatively interconnected to said drive means of said timer motor to be driven thereby from said one position to another of said different positions' for a predetermined time period, said selector means being rotatably mounted to said frame means for rotatable movement between said different positions, said means of said selector means that is operatively interconnected to said drive means of said timer motor when said selector means is set in said one position comprising a sector gear portion of said selector means.

2. A combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said drive means of said timer means comprises a pair of rotatable gears, one of said gears being disposed in meshing relation with said sector gear portion when said selector means is set in said one position, the other gear having means disposed in driving relation with said one gear, said other gear being driven by said timer means.

3. A combination as set forth in claim 2 wherein said means of said other gear comprise lost motion means that must be taken up between said pair of gears before a driving relation is created between said pair of gears.

5. A combination as set forth in claim 4 wherein said drive pin means comprises a plurality of drive pins and said slot means comprises a plurality of slots respectively receiving said pins therein. 

1. In combination, a frame means, a single selector means movably carried by said frame means and being manually settable to at least three different positions relative to said frame means, electrical switch means carried by said frame means, said selector means operating said switch means to certain conditions thereof when said selector means is respectively set in said different positions, and a timer motor carried by said frame means and having drive means, said selector means when set in only one of said different positions having means operatively interconnected to said drive means of said timer motor to be driven thereby from said one position to another of said different positions for a predetermined time period, said selector means being rotatably mounted to said frame means for rotatable movement between said different positions, said means of said selector means that is operatively interconnected to said drive means of said timer motor when said selector means is set in said one position comprising a sector gear portion of said selector means.
 2. A combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said drive means of said timer means comprises a pair of rotatable gears, one of said gears being disposed in meshing relation with said sector gear portion when said selector means is set in said one position, the other gear having means disposed in driving relation with said one gear, said other gear being driven by said timer means.
 3. A combination as set forth in claim 2 wherein said means of said other gear comprise lost motion means that must be taken up between said pair of gears before a driving relation is created between said pair of gears.
 4. a combination as set forth in claim 3 wherein said lost motion means comprises drive pin means carried by one of said pair of gears and slot means formed in the other of said pair of gears receiving said drive pin means therein.
 5. A combination as set forth in claim 4 wherein said drive pin means comprises a plurality of drive pins and said slot means comprises a plurality of slots respectively receiving said pins therein. 